Alarm for motion-picture-film reels



Jain. 16, 1923.

0. DE ROCHEFORT-LUGAY.-- ALARM FOR MOTION PlCTURE FILM REEL'S.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

FILED DEC. 16, 1920.

liT mlm as ikgiiilului Jan. 16, 1923. 1,442,690. 0. DE ROCHEFORT-LUCAY.

ALARM FOR MOTION PICTURE FILM HEELS.

FILED DEC. 16, 19.20. gsHEETs-sHEEm.

mi; 12M 5 avwewtoz Patented Jan. 16, 1923.

iaaaeee FOR MOTION-PIGTURE-FILM HEELS.

Application filed December 16, 1920. Serial No. 431,253.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CLAUDE on Roorrnroa'r- LUoAY, a citizen of France, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarms for Motion- Picture-Film Reels; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of-the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in motion picture film reels, having more particular reference to an alarm to be used therewith to enable the operator'to determine when the end of the film has been reached so that the other machine, which is generally employed, can be started at the proper time to prevent any interruption of the picture.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device. of this class embodying a filmreleased actuator and an audible signal operated by saidactuator, the latter being movable to and held in a position to cause an intermittent and successive operation of the signal when a predetermined amount of the film has been unwound. Heretofore, devices of this class, so far as I am aware, because of their particular construction and ar rangement only actuate the signal a single time. Consequently, if the operator fails to hear the signal, the desired result is not accomplished. Howevenby providing a structure wherein the signal will be actuated successively for a number of times, the operator will be sure to hear it one or more times.

Thus, effective results with my device are insured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film reel equipped with an alarm in the form of a bell, the latter being disposed on the exterior of the reel housing so that the-operator will be sure to hear it reg-ard- -less of the noise brought about by the running of the machine itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide, an alarm including the aforesaid bell, the latter being of the self and everset type and effective operation thereof being insured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through a conventional type of film reel and its housing equipped with a signal constructed in accordance with this invention, the latter being shown in its inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with parts shown in elevation, also showing the actuator inengagement with the bell trip.

' Figure 3 is a side elevation of the film reel removed from its housing, the actuator being shown in the position it assumes to operate the bell and the section being taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4t is an enlarged detail sectional view of the bell.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 4:.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the letter H designates a housing in which a film reel R is removably mounted,

being rotatable on a shaft S carried by a suitablesupportins; bracket B. Wound on the reel isthe film F. These parts are of the usual construction and constitute no part of this invention.

i The invention, as before intimated, re-

sides in the construction and arrangement of a signal which is designed to enable the operator to determine when the film is nearing its end. According to the invention, the reel R has a substantially triangular opening 1 formed in one of its heads adjacent its hub. Struck out from this headnear the wide end of the opening are ears 2 which constitute bearings for a shaft 3 which carries a substantially triangular plate et which may be well termed as an actuator. This actuator is released and permitted to move to its efiective position when a predetermined amount of the film has been unwound, it being moved through tlieaforesaid opening 1 by means of a coiled spring 5 which surrounds Y the shaft 3 and has its ends anchored in such a manner as to move the actuator outwardly through this opening. At this point, I. wish to state that the actuator could be of any other construction and shape and could be pivotally mounted in various ways. 1 may also state, that the actuator could be formed, from the metal which is struck out from the head of the reel to provide the aforesaid opening 1.

Arranged on the exterior of the housing H and adapted to beoperated by the aforesaid actuator, is a signal, preferably inthe form of a hell 6. This bell in its preferred form includes a-n attaching plate or bracket 7 which is screwed or otherwise secured to the housing, this bracket'in turn being urovided with acentral projection 8 to w ieh the bell is detachably connected, and below this projection with a bored enlargement9 constituting a bearing. Rotatable in this hearing is a relatively short shaft 10 which Lcarries a hammer 11, the latter being auto matically returned to an ineffective position after each operation by means of a coiled spring 12 connected therewith and withan eye 13 on the aforesaid part 8. For the purpose of imparting rotation to the shaft 10,11 make useiof a trip 14 which is disposed within the housing in a position to be struck by the actuator 4. I again wish'to direct attention to the fact, that by disposing the signal on the exterior of the housing and close to the operator, it is sure to be heard by the operator regardless of the noise caused from the operation of the machine. In operation, the reel R is placed on the usual winding machine and the film F is' wound thereon, say about six or seven times, or any desired number of times according to the time which the operator wishes the signal to be actuated. After this, the actuator 4 is placed on the top of the last winding of the film and the rest, of the latter is then wound on the 'reel and the actuator 4 becomes positioned between the layers or wrappings of the film, appearing substantially as shown in Fig. 1. With the actuator in its ineffective position, the reel is placed on theshaft S in the housing H. Then, it will be seen that as the film is unwound enough to uncover the member 4, the latter, due to the action of the coiled spring 5 will be swung through the opening 1 and caused to assume an angular position such'as disclosed in Fig. 2. Now, as soon as 'it is brought against the trip 14, a rocking movement will be imparted to the shaft- 10, such action of parts causing the hammer llto strike the hell 6 and give an audible signal. Further rotation of the reel will cause the actuator 4 to become disengaged from the trip 14 and the action of ithe spring to be noted that inasmuch as the actuator remains in the position. shown in Fig. 2 after being released, it will cause a successive operation of the bell at each revolution of the reel. I Thus, in case the operator fails to hear the first signal, he will be bound to hear one of the later occurring signals. At this point, I wish to emphasize the fact that the substantially triangular shape of the actuator .4 insures an effective disengagement thereof from the trip 14 which might otherwise not occur with some other shape of actuator.

Acareful consideration of the statements in the foregoing paragraphs taken in connection with the accompanying. drawings is thought to be sufficient to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention relates, to obtain a clearunderstanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description is deemed unnecessary. j V

Advantageous and effective results are insured with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and for this reason this construction and arrangement is taken as apreferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be understood that various minor changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of partsv may belresorted to as long as these changes do not depart fromflthe spirit of'the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

\Vhat is claimed is: i i 1. In a device of the class described, a film reel, a film released actuating arm carried thereby and inovableto the axis of and held in an angular position with respect to the reel, and a self and everset signal supported in close proximity to said arm, including a trip to be successively operated by said arm at each revolution.

2. In a device ofthe class described, a film reel having an opening adjacent its hub, spaced bearings carried by said reel, a

spring operated signalactuating arm ourthe signal several times. i

3. The structure set forth in claim 2,,the arm being substantlally triangular in shape to insure aneffective disengagement thereof from the trip.

4. A. device of the class" described comparing a ,bell adapted to be secured on the exterior of reel housing, saidbell including a hammer, a spring for automatically returning the hammer to .an' ineffective position, after each operation, .a trip forlmoving the hammer to operative position; and a film released actuator adapted to be carried by thereel for 'co-action with said trip to operate the latter at each revolution of the reel after projection of said actuator. i

bell-crank secured to the other end of: the 10 shaft and including at head adapted to strike the bell, {L coiled spring connected to one end of the hell-crank and to the aforesaid extension; and a film released actuator adapted for coection with said trip.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLAUDE de ROCHEFORT-LUCAY. 

